Spike.



W. H. STEVENS.

SPIKE.

APPLICATION TILED MAY18,1911.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

' WITNESSES t6 1 6/72 (IN VENTOR A llorn teeth extended.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HENRY STEVENS, OF TRENT ON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DICK P. STRYKER, OF SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 13, 1911.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

Serial No. 626,898.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. S'rnvnlss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Trenton, in the county of Mercer and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spikes, of which the following is a specification, refer ence being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to spikes and the principal object of the same is to provide the spike with teeth which are pivotally mounted and which will automatically open when it is attempted to withdraw the spike thus preventing the withdrawal thereof.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view of the spike in front elevation, the lower portion being shown in section: showing the teeth in a folded position. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation with the Fig. l is a view in cross section along the line 44, in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the lower portion of the spike and shows a modified manner of mounting the teeth.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 1 by numerals .it will be seen that this invention comprises a spike 1, which is of the type generally used with railroad ties, or for securing large joists in place. The lower portion of the spike is provided with com municating openings 2 and 3 which are formed through the sides and which have sloping inner faces 4. Teeth 5 are placed in the openings 2 and 3 and have their inner ends pivotally mounted upon a pin 6. The teeth are of such dimensions that when folded as shown in Fig. 1 they will be positioned entirely within the openings 2 and I} with the exception of the spurs 7 which extend beyond the openings. From an in spection of Fig. =1 it will he noted that the inner portions of the teeth are reduced so that they will it closely og -..ier and will therefore, not have any transverse movement upon the pin 6.

In Fig. l have shown a slightly modified form of spike in which the openings 2 and 3 do not communicate and in which the teeth are provided with indepcmlcnt pivot pin's. The operation of this modified form is exactly similar to that of the pre ferred form.

In use. this spike is driven into the tie, thev spurs 7 being at such an angle to perhill the spike to very readily enter the tie. it it is attempted to remove the spike the spurs T engage the wood and upon the spike heing drawn out a greater degree open outwardly and prevent the spike from being \vitlulrawn. It will thus he noted that the action of these teeth is automatic.

'hat I claim as my invention is:-

A spike l'n'ovidcd with seats hauling from opposite faces and communicating at their lower iortions. tccth positioned within said seats and having their inner ends reduced and overlapped, a pivot pin passing through the inner ends of said teeth to pivotally mount the same, and spurs formed upon said teeth and positioned outside said seats when said teeth are in a folded position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VIIJLIAM HENRY STEVEN S. \Vitnesses:

Tnowas B. MADDEN, Jno. Casrnn. 

